Bronchopneumonia and ischemic heart disease are the most common causes of death among dementia patients, according to a review of autopsy reports at University Hospital, Lund, Sweden (Brunnstrom & Englund. Eur J Neurol 2009; epublished January 26, 2009).
Read More
Neurology
Phase I/II study of non-myeloablative SCT in RRMS
April 12, 2009Researchers in Chicago have conducted a phase I/II trial of autologous non-myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in 21 relapsing-remitting MS patients (Burt et al. Lancet Neurol 2009; epublished January 29, 2009). All subjects had experienced >2 steroid-treated relapses or 1 relapse with Gd-enhancing lesions in the previous 12 months despite treatment with a beta-interferon.
No unfavourable effects of fasting in MS
April 7, 2009A study in Iran has examined the effect of prolonged fasting during Ramadan in adult MS patients (Saadatnia et al. Eur Neurol 2009; 61:230-232). The prospective study compared 40 MS patients who fasted with 40 non-fasting MS controls. All patients had mild disability at entry (EDSS score < 3). Clinical symptoms and EDSS changes were assessed in the 6 months following Ramadan.
Randomized trial of donepezil in MCI
April 7, 2009Cholinesterase inhibitors may produce small improvements in cognitive functioning in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) but do not appear to benefit global functioning, according to the results of a new multicentre, randomized trial (Doody et al. Neurology 2009; epublished January 28, 2009).
Read More
Nortriptyline effective in PD-associated depression
April 7, 2009Depression is a common feature of Parkinsons disease, with studies reporting a prevalence ranging from 25% to 45% (Ravina et al. Neurology 2007;69:342-347; Lemke et al. J Neurol Sci 2006;248:266-270). However, few randomized controlled trials of depression in PD have been performed and the optimal treatment approach has not been established.